Biblical guidance for decisions comprises the application of Christian scriptural principles to address moral, ethical, and even legal issues, as well as practical problems. “For several centuries a Christian form of discernment, or the spiritual decision-making process we call Christian ‘discernment,’ has given believers a way to test whether they are on the right course and to form their lives more and more in accord with the will and being of God.” This article establishes the biblical foundations for decision-making, unpacks practical steps for applying God’s word to difficult choices, and shares common pitfalls in discovering God’s will. It examines how the practices of faith, prayer, and community counsel can operate in various life situations to result in decisions that are soundly based in the Bible, so that decisions from daily life grow out of a wholehearted serving of Christ and His kingdom.
What Does the Bible Say About Decision Making?
Bible advice for decisions is looking to and utilizing the wisdom and principles from Christian scriptures in order to make the decisions of life. It is not so much a matter of “proof-text” searching (simply finding a verse for every situation): but, in part, of understanding the broad sweep of God’s plan of redemption, as well as the character of God as revealed in the Bible. First and foremost, this guidance comes from God’s written word, the Holy Bible, that contains eternal truths and moral principles. And the Holy Spirit, who indwells every believer, enlightens our eyes and prompts inwardly. This statement serves two purposes: to help the followers of Christ know what to do to glorify God, and what to do to live in a way that parallels who God has called us to be. It transcends merely “what is right” and enters the realm of spirituality, where decision-making is a form of worship and obedience.
What are the Foundational Principles of Bible-Based Decision Making?
Some foundational principles of biblical decision-making are dependence on the sovereignty of God, the pursuit of wisdom, the obedience to the Scripture, and the seeking of the Lord through prayer. These five fundamental principles are the foundation for any Christian desiring to make decisions consistent with divine truth.
To begin with, there is, of course, the doctrine of the Sovereignty of God. God had a plan long before now, and His plan will stand up through all the ages. Proverbs 19:21 – “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” This is in order to say God’s divine will is at work even in the chaotic sphere of human planning and deliberation. Understanding this truth inspires believers to place their confidence in God’s sovereign control and seek His adjustment in their personal decisions instead of trusting in their own wisdom or foresight. This teaches humility and reliance on God’s leading.
Second, the search for wisdom matters most. The Bible is clear that wisdom is not just what you know, but how you live that knowledge. James 1:5 urges believers to ask God for wisdom, promising that it will be provided liberally to all who ask and doubt not. “The LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Prov 2:6) This is the work of studying, reflecting, and being willing to learn from both experience and the testimony of other godly people. Such biblical wisdom enables human beings to perceive reality from God’s standpoint, evaluating the moral and spiritual consequences of various choices.
And third, that the Bible is to be the final authority. The Bible is believed to be the inspired Word of God, and as such contains all the instruction that is required for matters of faith and life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” That is to say, the Bible provides us with clear precepts, ethical guides, and moral precepts that directly and positively affect our choices. For believers, they read scripture not as an option, but as a command, they read it for what it tells them to do in their time and place.
And fourth, discernment requires the guidance of prayer and the Holy Spirit. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) John 16:13 tells us that the Holy Spirit leads believers into all truth. This is an ongoing dialogue with God, asking for His specific word on a decision. When your decisions are in line with God’s will, the Holy Spirit’s presence will affirm it with inner conviction or peace. Know that this is God’s will for you right now, and trust the Holy Spirit to guide you through whatever steps that follow. This spiritual prompt is not an alternative to scripture study – but is complementary to scripture study and acts as a witness or even a clearing up of God’s way.
Fifth, faith is essential. According to Hebrews 11:6, it is not possible to please God without faith. It takes opening up to the trust of God’s lead in our lives all because of his Word – even when that lead is uncertain or when that lead looks difficult. This faith is not a blind jump but an assurance meekly resting upon the character of God and His promises. It gives soldiers of Christ a way to forge ahead in faith, trusting that if they vow to walk in His way, He will recognize that decision.
At last, love is the supreme authority in everything. The Greatest Commandment is summarized in Matthew 22:37-39 as Loving God with all of one’s heart, soul, and mind, and in Loving one’s neighbor as oneself. So, every decision, naturally, would need to be viewed through the spectrum of love, questioning how I could show love best to God, and to others. It is morality that keeps decisions from being selfish and that becomes a force promoting not only the health but the spiritual growth of the communities.
How Does The Bible Give Us Practical Steps To Help Make Tough Choices?
But the Bible also includes instructions for navigating difficult decisions – commands, examples, and biblical principles that point believers in the direction they should go in those situations. When taken, step by step, these things combine together to form a systematic process for finding out the will of God, and when found out, for doing it. Here are 8 very practical steps from the Bible that help you make difficult decisions:
- Read the Scriptures Voraciously. Submersion in the Bible is fundamental. “Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the LORD and in whose law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2). This includes reading, studying, and memorizing biblical texts. In the same way, the better we know God’s character, His laws, and His path, we are enabled to hear and follow His voice rather than our own. The continued immersion in scripture equips them with a strong foundation for understanding godly principles in any given life situation.
- Pray with Earnestness and Particularity. “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:3). Whenever you have a difficult decision to make, believers have a privilege: submit the matter to the Lord in prayer, and ask Him to give you the wisdom, discernment, and direction you need. Not just a ‘please, Lord, for this one time’ but a ‘we ask you constantly LORD’ knowing that He can and does make changes to the course we are on. Prayer also fosters an attitude of God-dependency, instead of human ingenuity and energy.
- Seek Wise Counsel. Proverbs 11:14 proclaims, “Where no counsel is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counsel there is safety.” Proverbs 15:22 also tells us, “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” This means seeking out godly counsel, namely pastors, mentors or mature — men and women of the faith who exhibit spiritual maturity. These are people who can speak into us, who can bring fresh, outside perspectives, who can question our assumptions, who can share wisdom from their experience and learning about what scripture means. Consult with more than one person in order not to trust prejudiced opinion.
- Consider God’s Glory. Does it glorify God? 1 Corinthians 10:31 teaches that everything should be done for the glory of God, including eating and drinking. It’s making decisions based on whether or not it will honor God’s Name, establish His Kingdom and reveal His character. If a decision is inconsistent with scriptural standards or tarnishes the name of Christ, it is not defensible as biblically informed. This principle transcends decision-making that is motivated by selfishness or ease.
- Assess Consequences. “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Romans 14:19). This requires consideration of how that decision may affect oneself, others, and one’s testimony. A biblically informed judgment anticipates the long-term spiritual and practical consequences and attempts to maximize good and minimize harm. This includes considering how a decision will impact relationships, finances, spiritual growth, and the larger community.
- Exercise Faith. “And whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23). Following earnest prayer, study of Scripture, and consultation, there is a time when the believer must risk: trust God. In other words, walking in the light of the light received, even when the path is not perfectly open there, or when there may be something of venture in it. Faith is the assurance that God will reward obedience and direct the steps of those who confide in Him. It is not a presumptuous jump, but a sure step in ease, having tested the lead.
- Wait on God. Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Impatience can cause us to act hastily outside of God’s timing and desire. The direction of God is a process that at times takes time and endurance. The waiting is the praying and studying and asking advice, and being open to God’s timing and surprising path. It is a posture of humility and reliance on the Lord to come through in His perfect timing.
- Know Christian Ethics. An initiation in the study of Christian ethics is intended to offer a comprehensive basis for decisions. This is the act of taking the moral values that we have received from Scripture about love, justice, integrity, holiness, and applying them to concrete cases. For example, when a believer is seeking to enter into a business partnership, as she reflects on that decision, she might ask whether the proposed business relationship stands in the same tradition of the honesty and fair dealing described in Proverbs 11:1, which condemns dishonest scales. In the same way, the Christian response to personal and interpersonal conflicts, God’s forgiveness and reconciliation in Ephesians 4:32 directs men towards a righteous path. Understanding Christian Ethics brings this mushy, abstract-sounding topic down to earth so that Christians can deal with daily dilemmas. The book specifically helps readers to: think through tough decisions as guided by the Holy Spirit in the light of biblical principles; avoid squishy, relativistic thinking as it has invaded the Church; make use of a Bible study at the end of each chapter to apply the book’s principles personally.
What Makes Looking to the Bible for Direction on Tough Calls So Difficult?
Obstacles we encounter when turning to the Bible for decision-making in difficult decisions are scriptural misunderstandings, the need to differentiate between our wants and God’s will, and conflicting counsel. Unless effectively dealt with, these challenges can result in confusion, indecision or even decisions that are not in perfect line with the will of God. There are five common challenges that befall God’s people when they set out to find direction from God in their life.
First, there is the obscurity of scripture to complicate matters. There, you will agree, the Bible does not give specific commands on all moral issues, nor does it speak directly to every specific situation in life, e.g., one’s choice of career or investment. It is something that asks for believers to take wide biblical principles and figure out how to make them work in particular situations, which is complicated. For instance, the Bible tells us to work diligently (Colossians 3:23) but it doesn’t make the works of what or for whom known. This requires thoughtful interpretation and prayerful application of general principles in specific contextual environments.
Second, individual bias and self-interest can exert strong effects upon interpretation. Believers, being human, naturally know what they want, what they like, and what they think to be true, and that can lend a subtle slant to their perception of God’s will. Scripture and spiritual promptings are also easily read to conform to what one already wants to do. “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). It does take a deliberate conscious decision to put aside one’s own agenda and actually want to know God’s fair truth; this often comes in the form of introspection and accountability.
Thirdly, there is the strife of contradictory advice from godly people causing great confusion. When consulting with many wise advisors, believers may get conflicting counsel, even from those sincerely seeking God’s will. It all can result in a bit of confusion about which route to take. For instance, one teacher might recommend one financial choice, based on their experience, while another recommends a different one, and they both quote the Bible for it. “I think judges would all be hard pressed to be able to develop principles to change law according to the revealed will of God apart from further prayer and study and reflection on what were the scriptural reasons that underlay a decision.”
Fourth, people are often impatient which interferes with decisions. As we want God to respond right now, we may run to decisions without really waiting for His time or working through considerations. Proverbs 21:5 “the plans of the diligent lead creatively to abundance, but everyone who’s hasty comes only to poverty.” Hurrying may produce missed details, mistaken interpretations of flags, or taking a step before God uncovers all of His will. Real biblical direction often comes only after a period of waiting and searching.
Fifth, emotional impact can distort the judgment. Decisions made based on emotions such as fear, worry, eager anticipation, and convenience just may not be the will of God. Feelings are part of being human, but they are not the surest guides. For instance, a concern over financial instability can result in a decision that sets aside ethical standards, and enthusiastic pursuit of a new opportunity can hide a lack of biblical conformity. The will of God must be known in a disposition of mind that is quieted and settled, when truth can assert its authority over the passions.
What are Some Specific Ways Scripture Can Be Applied to Different Areas of Life?
The Bible is relevant to areas of life such as personal morals, interpersonal relationships, personal finances, and career path. The Bible does not just provide general principles, it also gives a lot of examples as well as wisdom literature that directly applies to decision-making in any number of domains. There are 4 major categories of life where we find specific direction from the scriptures.
Relationships
First, in regard to relationships, the Bible offers most explicit rules for interaction with others. Its principles concerning: submission, love and respect enunciated throughout Ephesians 5:22-33 are fundamental guidelines for decision-making and conflict resolution in living in marriage. Concerning children and parenting, Proverbs 22:6 says to “train up a child in the way he should go is based upon an emphasis on spiritual and moral teaching in the upbringing of youth.” In their friendships, Proverbs 17:17 reminds believers that “A friend loves at all times,” and to nurture loyal, supportive and encouraging social ties. These principles support and maintain unity, respect, and spiritual development in our relational decisions.
Finances
Second, biblically, when it comes to money, the stress in scripture is stewardship (rather than ownership) and then generosity, as well as the exercise of management of finances. Matthew 25:14-30, the Parable of the Talents, exemplifies the concept of stewardship and is the basis for the message that the Lord has given believers gifts that they are to use for His kingdom. Second Corinthians 9:7 encourages giving generously, announcing that God loves a cheerful giver, and informing choices with regard to giving and donations. Proverbs 22:7 also advises against piling up debts, pointing out that “the borrower is servant to the lender.” Biblical concepts dictate how we earn, save, spend, and invest with an emphasis upon contentment and freedom from the bondage of materialism.
Career/Vocation
Third, in the area of career-vocation, biblical direction emphasizes working hard, doing right, and serving others. Colossians 3:23 says “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” thus proscribing having a good work ethic and a sense of divine calling in the profession. Proverbs 11:3 says, “The integrity of the upright shall guide them” – integrity and honesty in business. Galatians 5:13 calls believers to serve one another humbly in love, meaning that career selecting should be directed not simply to one’s own good but to societal benefit—the “common good.” These are principles that drive your choice of work, how we carry ourselves, and decisions we take about career progression.
Moral Quandaries
Fourth, in situations of moral quandaries, the Bible serves as a moral barometer in challenging decisions. “The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” (Proverbs 12:22) Proverbs establishes honesty as a basic value for ethical life. Micah 6:8 tells us to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God,” offering a three-part compass any time we need to make decisions about justice and kindness. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7). This can lead to decisions based on mercy and compassion. These principles serve as guideposts for believers in complicated moral terrains, so as to make decisions that are consistent with God’s righteousness and love.
What is the Big Picture of Christian Decision Making?
Decision with reference to a Christian: The larger sphere of Christian action is the whole journey of the believer with Christ; the whole of his actions are conditioned by his loyalty to Christ and his acceptance of the will of God. This isn’t something that happens in isolation but in the context of discipleship and spiritual formation. “(T)he smallest and greatest decisions we make in life [serve to] conform us to Christ and live a life of faith in the world.” It’s an ongoing process of God teaching you to listen for His voice, trust where He is leading you and obey what He’s telling you in all areas of your life and to glorify His name in everything with all that you do and say.
Does God Unfailingly Inform of His Will Plainly?
The will of God is not always crystal clear; sometimes the believer must make application of scripture, seek wisdom, and trust that if the situation is not one of certainty God is indeed sovereign. Some issues have explicit scriptural commands, but a large range of life consists of the gray areas, places where one has to apply wisdom and faith to determine the best course.
How Does the Holy Spirit Lead Us in Making Decisions?
Decisions are led by the Holy Spirit with an internal peace, scripture being ‘illuminated’, wise counsel confirming and peace that is in keeping with the nature of God. This guidance is usually indirect, and requires delicacy and a close walk with God.
Is There A Place for What We Like In Our Situations?
It is ok to use personal preference in decision-making if the decision being made does not violate biblical principles, glorifies God and promotes love, acknowledging the areas of Christian liberty. Where scripture does not specifically speak to an issue, believers have liberty to decide for themselves what they believe to be best, so long as it is in keeping with the greater themes of scripture.
What Part Does Conscience Play in Making Decisions in the Bible?
The conscience, if it is informed by Scripture and cleansed by the Holy Spirit, is an internal guide — confirming what the Bible teaches is good or convicting us of what the Bible teaches is wrong. A well-educated conscience functions as a moral compass, guiding believers as they make moral decisions in particular instances.
What is the Connection between Repentance and Being Stupid?
Repentance correlates to wrong choices in that it includes: a change of mind followed by a change of direction, owning sin, seeking forgiveness from God, and reorientating oneself with biblical truth for future decisions. It is an act of acknowledging that I have turned down the wrong path and have opted to turn to his ways.
